Quantcast

PUB CRAWLING: CAUCUS EDITION

Sony/ATV’s Jennifer Knoepfle and Amanda Berman-Hill, have earned their SVP stripes (as heads of West Coast A&R and Writer Relations, respectively) at the House of Marty, reporting to West Coast co-prez Rick Krim. The man with the cigar hailed the pair as “exceptional A&R executives with a gift for maximizing the opportunities for songwriters.” Knoepfle, previously SVP, Creative, has been at the pubco since 2009; her signings include Jack Antonoff, Grimes, Broods and Grace Mitchell, and she co-signed Leon Bridges with colleague Jake Fain. She's also worked closely with such writers as Leon Bridges, Joel Little (Lorde), Charlie XCX and Joy Williams. Berman-Hill came aboard in 2012 with the pubbery's absorption of EMI Music Publishing, where she'd served since 2005. Her signings include Jesse Shatkin (One Direction, Sia), Rachel Platten and Dave Bassett (Elle King, Platten). She's also worked extensively with writers like Greg Kurstin (Adele, Sia), who’s currently in the studio with Beck and has the new Ellie Goulding track.

BMG has upped Zach Katz to President of Music Publishing, reporting to President of Creative & Marketing Laurent Hubert. In his new capacity, Katz (formerly Chief Creative Officer) will ride herd on the creative teams in L.A, New York and Nashville and polish Hartwig Masuch's spiked helmet. Hubert praised Katz as "an exceptional leader whose track record for identifying and nurturing talent is second to none.”

UMPG is celebrating a dominant week at Pop radio. Writers Sebastian Kole and Pop Wansel co-crafted Alessia Cara’s “Here” (Def Jam), which sits at #1. Notes the pubco’s Ethiopia Habtemariam (pictured), Kole “represents everything we believe in—early discovery, development and great songs.” Meanwhile Uni writer (and Cara labelmate) Justin Bieber looks to have the next chart-topper (and has three global monsters in sales, radio and streaming), and the House of Jody also claims Shawn Mendes, now riding yet another smash up the Pop chart. Oh, and tunesmith Lori McKenna, who’s nominated as co-writer Song of the Year contender “Girl Crush” by Capitol Nashville’s Little Big Town, is getting attention for another powerful tune, Tim McGraw’s “Humble and Kind” (Big Machine). The song earned gushing praise from Oprah Winfrey, and the vid is closing on 14m views and has exploded at Shazam.

New Pulse writer Starrah co-wrote “Needed Me” on Rihanna’s freshly released set, ANTI. She also has cuts with Jeremih, Kid Ink, G-Eazy and Kevin Gates. The Ashley Calhoun-signed tunesmith may be looking at a very big year. Pulse’s Jason Bernard, meanwhile, is looking at a very big tumbler of Macallan.

Across the pond, Pascale Khalaf (right) has been promoted to VP of Synch & Licensing at Warner/Chappell Music U.K. after serving as Head of Film, TV and Advertising for the last five years, during an eight-year tenure at the music publisher. Based in the company’s London offices, Khalaf will report to Richard Manners, Warner/Chappell Music UK’s Managing Director, who praised her “deep understanding of how to bring music and brands together in ways that create culturally resonant moments.”

Big Deal has added Brigitte Green as SVP of All Media and Creative Licensing, while Damon Booth comes aboard as VP A&R and Client Services. Green most recently served at Beggars Group and Matador; Booth has worked at ASCAP, EMI Music Publishing and Warner Bros. Records, among other places, so he is technically qualified to negotiate with himself. Said Big Deal ruler Kenny MacPherson, “We couldn't be more excited to have them. They each bring with them a wealth of knowledge, experience and respect within the industry.” Both new execs were then shown how to properly wear a sporran with one’s kilt…

NEAR TRUTHS:
SPRING BLOOMS
Here come the big guns. (3/29a)
THE COUNT: COLDPLAY IS HOT, COUNTRY'S COOKIN' IN THE U.K.
The latest tidbits from the bustling live sector (3/29a)
CITY OF HOPE TAPS MARCIANO FOR TOP HONOR
This year's philanthropic model (3/28a)
TRUST IN THE TOP 20
Hip-hop is no longer hibernating. (3/27a)
UMG BROADENS SPOTIFY OFFERINGS
Sir Lucian and Daniel are in harmony. (3/28a)
THE NEW UMG
Gosh, we hope there are more press releases.
TIKTOK BANNED!
Unless the Senate manages to make this whole thing go away, that is.
THE NEW HUGE COUNTRY ACT
No, not that one.
TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN PLAYLIST
Now 100% unlicensed!
 Email

 First Name

 Last Name

 Company

 Country
CAPTCHA code
Captcha: (type the characters above)